#European defense

Ukraine plans to buy 20 new Saab Gripen E fighters while Sweden moves to donate 16 older Gripen C/D aircraft sooner, creating a near-term stopgap and a longer-term fleet transition.

France is discussing a stopgap replacement for the Leclerc as delays to the joint Main Combat Ground System with Germany force Paris to rethink the armored transition timeline.

French defense giant Thales launches SkyDefender, a layered air and missile defense system rivaling the US Golden Dome concept and claimed to already be operational.

Germany is investing billions of euros in domestic production of one-way attack drones, setting up three manufacturers for large-scale production contracts. The move marks a dramatic shift for a country that was once reluctant to embrace autonomous strike weapons.

Bulgaria and Slovakia receive their first F-16 Block 70 fighters as NATO establishes a new training center in Romania, strengthening allied air capabilities on Europe's eastern flank.

NATO allies receive upgraded F-16V Block 70/72 fighters with SABR radar and advanced EW suites as Europe races to modernize its air defenses.